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Coquitlam woman's $1M lottery win still sinking in — even after checking the ticket four times

Violeta Santos is planning to spruce up her home and travel after claiming Lotto 6/49's guaranteed prize from July 21, 2021.
VioletaSantosCoquitlamLotto649winnerSept92021
Violeta Santos of Coquitlam won $1 million playing Lotto 6/49 on July 21, 2021.

B.C.'s newest millionaire is Violeta Santos, though she still can't believe it's true.

In fact, the Coquitlam woman checked and scanned her ticket four times before realizing she won $1 million playing Lotto 6/49 from its July 21 draw.

Santos matched the exact numbers to claim the guaranteed prize — 05455028-01 — on a night of which a $5-million grand prize was also up for grabs.

"It still hasn’t sunk in — it feels good though," she said in a news release from the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) today.

"I couldn’t believe it. I always wanted to win big and hoped to win big, but I was surprised that I did."

Santos called her relatives over to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime payday.

She now has plans for travel with the earnings as well as retirement and sprucing up her home.

Coincidentally, Santos was standing in her kitchen when she finally realized she'll be receiving a seven-figure cheque.

“I think renovations will be the first thing I do,” she said. “And share some with my family.”

According to BCLC, provincial residents have won more than $61 million from playing Lotto 6/49 in 2021 thus far.

The nationwide game is played on Wednesdays and Saturdays after 7:30 p.m.

For more information, you're encouraged to visit PlayNow.com.